Ballard Hires Virginia G. Essandoh As Firm's Director Of Diversity

Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP Chairman Arthur Makadon has announced that Virginia G. Essandoh has joined the firm as director of diversity.

Ms. Essandoh will be working with the firm's Diversity Committee to plan, execute, and monitor strategic diversity initiatives. These initiatives include strengthening the recruiting, retention, mentoring and training of lawyers at all levels. She will be responsible for coordinating Ballard's diversity outreach efforts and the firm's participation in external diversity events, including working with clients on diversity issues of mutual interest.

Mary Theresa Metzler, partner in the Labor, Employment & Immigration Group at Ballard Spahr, was recently elected director/board member of the Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA) Philadelphia Chapter, which is composed of professionals in the areas of management, labor, human resources and research.

The Ballard litigators were recognized for their representation of a high school honor student who was tried and sentenced to a residential placement on a minor charge without being afforded right to counsel. The pair won a habeas petition and a reduction in the sentence for the 16-year-old girl.

Ms. Mann is a partner in the Litigation Department and a member of the White Collar Litigation and Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs Groups. Prior to joining the firm, she was an assistant U.S. attorney, Criminal Division, in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Eileen Kenney has joined Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP as chief marketing officer. Ms. Kenney was previously the director of U.S. Marketing at Dechert LLP. As CMO, she will develop and implement marketing strategies and initiatives to further develop the firm's national reputation and client base.